Rev. Al Sharpton & Others Arrested During Sean Bell Protest

Rev. Al Sharpton and several dozen other protestors were arrested yesterday (May 7) when crowds protesting the acquittal of police officers responsible for the death of Sean Bell brought traffic to a halt across New York City.

According to Reuters, a police spokesman said "a couple dozen" people were arrested for acts of civil disobedience, while a spokeswoman for Sharpton said the exact number was 190. Among those taken into police custody were Bell's fiancée, Nicole Paultre Bell, and Bell's two friends who survived the November 2006 shooting.

Outside City Hall some 30 people knelt and prayed, blocking one of the streets that lead to the Brooklyn Bridge.

"We are holding you all under arrest for disorderly conduct," police announced before handcuffing Sharpton and at least 30 other people, who shouted "We are all Sean Bell." Cuffed with plastic strips, protestors put up little to no resistance as they were led to police vans.

As SOHH previously reported, last month a state judge cleared two detectives of manslaughter and a third of reckless endangerment in the death of 23-year-old Sean Bell.

The acquittal sparked outrage both throughout New York's African-American community, as well as among the hip-hop community at large. Rappers, including David Banner, Prodigy and The Game, were among the many who spoke out against the verdict.

Wednesday's protests were organized by Sharpton as part of a citywide "pray in" scheduled for six locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Sharpton warned protestors in advance that they could be jailed.

Sharpton is currently calling on federal prosecutors to bring civil rights charges in the case. The Justice Department, federal prosecutors and the FBI are reviewing the case and may take legal action if investigators suspect a violation of federal civil rights laws.

Sharpton organized similar demonstrations a decade ago when four police officers were acquitted in the shooting death of an unarmed West African man, Amadou Diallo. Dozens, including Sharpton, were arrested at that time as well.